Your news in a nutshell

1. Bank fee bill debate today

Members of the House of Representatives will today make a critical decision on whether to pass or reject the Banking Services Bill, which seeks to regulate bank fees in Jamaica. The Lower House will have its final sitting today for the 2017-2018 legislative year, as the prorogation of Parliament takes effect tomorrow. See the full story on The Gleaner’s website.

2. Bloody St Catherine

Amid a 40 per cent increase in murders in the St Catherine North Police Division and with no end in sight to the bloodletting that is responsible for 30 persons being killed since January 1, the division’s top cop, Beau Rigabie, is adamant that the situation will be brought under control. See the full story on The Gleaner’s website.

3. Justice at a halt?

Parish Court judges, fearing that their wage impasse with the Government will drag on for another Budget year, used a marathon meeting with their seniors yesterday to air their grouse over salaries and conditions of service, as well as discuss their concerns on separation of powers, judicial independence and judicial accountability. See the full story on The Gleaner’s website.

4. NWA plans road work for 7 parishes

The National Work Agency (NWA) says work is to begin along 15 corridors in seven parishes that have been significantly impacted by flood rains, since last year April. Manager, Communication and Customer Services at the NWA, Stephen Shaw says the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, St Andrew, St Elizabeth, Portland, Trelawny and St Catherine are to benefit from contracts that have been approved for works. See the full story on The Gleaner’s website.

Following a lengthy meeting today to deal with the issue of the Prime Minister’s decision to place the acting chief justice on probation, the island’s judges have released a declaration on the separation of powers, judicial independence and judicial accountability. See the full story on The Gleaner’s website.

6. KSAFA bans 6 clubs from Jackie Bell KO

The Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) has banned six clubs from participating in this season’s JN Bank-sponsored Jackie Bell Knockout competition due to monies owed. The clubs affected are Cooreville Gardens, Mountain View, Maverley-Hughenden, Greenwich Town, Stony Hill and Olympic Gardens. See the full story on The Gleaner’s website.